Poster boy: Teen with 166 minutes of NRL ready to face idol Inglis

Not much ruffles Zac Lomax, but mention the name of Greg Inglis and his eyes widen a little; maybe become a tad starry. He grins a bit, too. The posters have been on his bedroom walls ever since he was a kid. Posters of a future Immortal, the young lad from Temora reckons.

So, the chance of playing against him in just your fourth NRL match in front of a bumper Saturday night crowd under the intense spotlight of finals football?

Inglis ready: Zac Lomax.Credit:NRL Photos

"Mate, he is probably the person I’ve modelled a lot of my game around," Lomax said. "I’ve looked up to him forever. "It’s just his power [which is so impressive]. He can isolate someone one-on-one and create so many opportunities, but his power [is his biggest asset]. That’s what I try to base my game on and copy him as much as possible."

Lomax won't turn 19 until later this month, but the whispers about his potential turned into a roar after he helped the Dragons torch the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. With just 166 minutes of NRL under his belt, he might be the man charged with stopping the game's most celebrated centre at ANZ Stadium.

Advertisement

"Even [on Sunday] going out there and just looking at the likes of Sam Thaiday and Andrew McCullough … last year I was watching them play. It’s obviously a surreal feeling and something you can’t get enough of.

I’ve looked up to him forever

Zac Lomax

"I’ve been a massive footy fan and I loved all those type of guys. It’s hard because they’re Queenslanders, but they’re greats of the game and GI will probably be a future Immortal - in my eyes anyway. If I am fortunate enough to play again next week I’ll try my best against him."

Lomax has supporters in important places. NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler is an unabashed fan, Andrew Johns raves about his potential and Blues assistant Danny Buderus has worked with him first hand.

Loading

All three know how much of a talent the NSW under-age representative is, which is why the Dragons have him locked down until the end of 2020.

A season-ending injury to skipper Gareth Widdop is likely to help Lomax's cause in holding down his spot as outside backs Euan Aitken and Jason Nightingale near full fitness.

Lomax is a renowned sharp shooter and took over kicking duties when Widdop was helped from the ground against Brisbane.

Lomax actually made his NRL debut earlier this year against the Rabbitohs in a six-minute stint.

"I’ve been really lucky and fortunate enough to be given the opportunity [to play NRL this year] and I’ll be forever grateful," he said.

Lomax's partner Jessica Sergis made her NRL women's debut in the Dragons' loss to the Broncos, but left the field in the first half with concussion.